Efficiency funding cut highlights Liberal’s broken election promise

June 15, 2015

Nova Scotia ratepayers would not be facing a cut to energy efficiency programs had the McNeil government not broken a key election promise says NDP Leader Maureen MacDonald.

On page 9 of the Nova Scotia Liberal platform, Stephen McNeil promised to make Nova Scotia Power shareholders pay the $46 million cost of Efficiency Nova Scotia, which he said would “strengthen energy efficiency programs.” However, in the spring of 2014, the McNeil government passed legislation allowing the opposite to happen. As a result, this week the UARB will review a submission from Nova Scotia Power to cut energy efficiency programs by about $20 million and force ratepayers to cover the remaining $20 million cost.

“Once again Stephen McNeil promised one thing and delivered the exact opposite,” says MacDonald. “What was supposed to be a win-win situation for Nova Scotia households has turned into a lose-lose scenario.”